“Babies are bleeding to death as parents reject a vitamin shot given at birth” via Duaa Eldeib of ProPublica — Their autopsies, which took place over the last several years, all came to the same conclusion: The deaths were caused, in whole or in part, by a rare but potentially fatal condition known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding. In almost every case, the babies’ deaths could have been prevented with a long-standard vitamin K shot. But across the country, families — first in smatterings, now in droves — are declining the single, inexpensive injection given at birth to newborns to help their blood clot. Many of them are doing so out of a well-meaning but ill-informed abundance of caution. In the hopes of safeguarding their newborns from what they see as unnecessary medical intervention, they have shunned fundamental and scientifically sound pharmaceutical intervention. The trend is also fueled by a contradictory pairing: families’ fierce desire to protect their babies and a cascade of false information infused into their social media algorithms. “For-profit hospitals pick Republican as top lobbyist” via Simon J. Levien of POLITICO — The Democrat who now leads the Federation of American Hospitals has added a Republican as the for-profit hospital group’s top lobbyist. Federation President and CEO Charlene MacDonald, a former aide to a top Democrat in the House and in the Senate, said Liz Schwartz’s experience as a former GOP health policy aide to Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and Mike Enzi of Wyoming was a selling point. Her decision to hire Schwartz comes at a time when Republicans are wondering whether consolidation in the industry is making healthcare less affordable. “Her Republican credentials are definitely an advantage for us in building out this team,” MacDonald said. “She understands how to talk about issues in a way that resonates with Republicans.” 
Liz Schwartz tapped as top lobbyist for for-profit hospital industry group. “Senate budget chief: No health insurance cost hike for state employees next year” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix — Sen. Ed Hooper made the comment this week while answering questions from reporters about the coming Special Session on the budget scheduled to start Tuesday. House and Senate budget negotiators have reached an agreement on budget allocations that dictate how much general revenue — which comes from various state taxes — will be available in separate spending categories for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Florida’s state group health insurance program has had employee premiums frozen for years, even as the cost of coverage has continued to increase. The program is projected to have a nearly $363 million deficit in the fiscal year that begins July 1, growing to $1.6 billion by 2030. “Summer’s coming, and data show measles cases are rising” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix — Florida Department of Health data show that between the start of the year and May 1, 150 suspected and confirmed measles cases were reported to state health officials. Fourteen of Florida’s 67 counties have reported confirmed or suspected measles cases. Collier County has 107 reported cases, the most of any county. Measles began spreading in the county in late January at Ave Maria University, a Roman Catholic college. There have been no new measles cases in that county for the past three weeks. Nearly every measles case in Collier County was spread locally — just three were categorized as “imported.” About 40% of the Florida cases are in the 15- to 19-year-old age cohort, but people of all ages have been infected, the data show. “‘Unimaginable’: Court orders C-section against mother’s objections” via Elena Barrera of the Tallahassee Democrat — Brianna Bennett had three previous cesarean sections, with each one’s recovery more difficult than the last. So, when it came time to have her fourth child, she knew she wanted this birth to be different. She was prepared to labor as long as it took to have a vaginal birth, but after a day and a half of contractions, doctors began urging her to schedule a C-section. “I do not consent to a C-section,” Bennett told her doctors at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare. But her wishes didn’t matter. Before long, Bennett’s hospital room became a makeshift courtroom that decided her and her baby’s fate. The judge sided with the hospital, permitting them to perform the procedure against Bennett’s will, and she was whisked away to surgery. “In budget Session, lawmakers set to tackle Medicaid hospital cuts, AIDS drug funding” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — Lawmakers return to Tallahassee next week facing high-stakes healthcare budget fights involving billions in Medicaid funding, hospital reimbursements and HIV treatment programs. While House and Senate leaders previously agreed on roughly $52 billion in healthcare spending, major disagreements remain over a Senate proposal to cut hospital Medicaid reimbursements by 3%, a move hospital leaders warn could reduce care for children, seniors and disabled patients. Florida Hospital Association CEO Mary Mayhew sharply criticized the proposal, noting that hospitals already receive reimbursement rates far below their actual costs. Meanwhile, nursing facilities are urging lawmakers to maintain current Medicaid rates amid rising statewide operational costs. Legislators must also address a shortfall of over $110 million in Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program caused by federal Affordable Care Act funding cuts that created major budget gaps affecting HIV patients and access to medications such as Biktarvy. “President is said to sign off on firing FDA Chief” via Christina Jewett and Maggie Haberman of The New York Times — Reports that Trump approved plans to fire Marty Makary underscore growing tensions inside the administration over vaping policy, abortion regulation and biotech drug approvals. Makary, who built a high public profile as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, tried balancing pro-business priorities with the health-focused agenda pushed by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Make America Healthy Again supporters. However, his resistance to approving certain flavored e-cigarettes, delays in reviewing the abortion pill mifepristone, and aggressive rejection of some biotech treatments created enemies across multiple political factions. Anti-abortion activists, tobacco interests, and biotech investors all increased pressure on him. Despite speculation about his future, Trump publicly denied any knowledge of plans to dismiss him, leaving his standing within the administration uncertain. The nurse was branded ‘a danger to public health’ in Maryland. She is still licensed in Florida.” via Annie Martin of Orlando Sentinel — The Orlando newspaper is continuing to investigate the shortcomings in Florida’s nursing industry after the state loosened requirements for nursing education. The Sentinel’s latest expose tells the story of a nurse who was prohibited from working in the state of Missouri after one of her patients died in 2023. However, in Florida, the nurse is still licensed to practice healthcare. It’s an example of the problems that have arisen with the growth of private, for-profit schools educating nurses. |
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